That was the stage where my mother once rose to fame, and now, perhaps another new star will rise there.
Clothing stores have already started replacing some of their wardrobes with next season's clothes, and tempting aromas waft from mobile stalls. Occasionally, you can catch a glimpse of people gathered around grills waiting for barbecues in the open spaces between buildings.
Watching the girl excitedly looking left and right, pausing curiously at every shop window she passed, I asked doubtfully, "[Xi Guang], haven't you been to Mermaid Port before?"
Hikari nodded, then shook her head, a blush rising to her cheeks: "My sisters have come a few times. I haven't..."
"No wonder." I nodded. "Then let's take this opportunity to look around and have some fun. Anyway, there's nothing for me to do at home."
After pondering for a moment with her clear eyes full of anticipation and joy, Hikari ultimately rejected the tempting offer, shaking her head vigorously: "No way! It's more important to do serious business."
"I came here for important business, and I can't let my desire to play delay me. Mr. Yumi's family must miss you very much, right? Besides, there's plenty of time afterward, so waiting a little longer is fine!"
She blinked, then quickly narrowed her eyes, revealing a bright smile.
I scratched the back of my head, looked around at the flowing crowd, and was too embarrassed to tell her that I was actually feeling nervous about returning home.
Or to put it another way, it's fear.
It has been almost seven or eight years since I last saw my family. Although I can still come back from the general education college after school, I rarely get to see my busy family members. Even my mother, who usually stays at home, was last seen four and a half years ago.
In addition, the journey home was quite long, which was rather difficult for me, as I was physically weak. After successfully entering the academy, even the occasional contact gradually stopped, leaving only the letters exchanged every season.
Thinking about it carefully, if it weren't for my good memory, I probably wouldn't even remember what my family members looked like.
I'm a little afraid of being rejected and ostracized by my family, but I'm also worried that I won't be able to become a better version of myself and will be scolded... And if they don't recognize me because we haven't seen each other for a long time, I might be even more heartbroken.
Not long after enrolling, I started learning Void Walk, which was actually partly due to this idea: if the distance between two places could be shortened infinitely, wouldn't it relieve those who miss each other from the burden of longing?
"Mr. Yumi~?"
Hikari peeked into my field of vision, interrupting my reverie.
I shook my head, about to reply that I was fine, when I suddenly noticed a faint sense spreading around me. I vaguely sensed a familiar yet unfamiliar aura, which made my back stiffen, and I stopped in my tracks, my throat tightening so that I couldn't utter a single word.
Naturally, on such a wide street, people can see each other clearly, making it even harder to hide long-standing longing.
The sound of a flower basket falling to the ground was heard, followed by the sound of raindrops falling.
The man found me faster than I expected.
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